Hispanolistic/ Getty Images

Key takeaways

  • The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid choice for those who want some basic Delta perks with a more manageable annual fee.
  • The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers frequent Delta flyers more benefits plus the ability to earn Medallion Status more easily.
  • Choosing the right card for you depends upon your goals and spending habits — including how often you fly with Delta and whether you are willing to pay a higher annual fee for certain benefits and perks.

If you fly Delta, you probably already know about the benefits of earning and redeeming Delta SkyMiles. But you might not know that getting a Delta credit card can expedite your miles-earning journey and give you access to more travel perks.

With an airline card from Delta in your wallet, you can earn SkyMiles on every purchase. Depending on which Delta credit card you choose, you may also be able to take advantage of some lucrative travel benefits — such as a round-trip companion certificate on certain flights, fee waivers for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications and more.

If you’re thinking about applying for a Delta credit card, you may be asking yourself which is better: the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card? Both cardsearn Delta SkyMiles on everyday purchases, but only one card offers a handful of premium travel benefits.

If you want the perks that come with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, you’ll need to be prepared to pay a platinum-level fee. For some Delta travelers, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card might be the more sensible option.

Which is right for you? Let’s take a close look at the Delta SkyMiles Gold versus the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and see if we can come up with a verdict.

Main details

Welcome bonus
  • 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
  • 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
Rewards Rate
  • 2X miles on worldwide restaurant (including takeout and delivery in U.S.), U.S. supermarket and Delta purchases
  • 1X miles on other eligible purchases
  • 3X miles on Delta flights and Delta Vacations purchases, plus transactions made directly with hotels
  • 2X miles at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets
  • 1X miles on other eligible purchases
Intro APR
  • N/A; regular 19.99%-28.99% Variable APR
  • N/A; regular 19.99%-28.99% Variable APR
Annual fee
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum highlights

In the battle between the Delta SkyMiles Gold and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, neither card is an across-the-board winner — but each wins in certain categories. Here’s how they stack up:

Which card earns the most?

If you want to earn the most SkyMiles per dollar spent, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum will likely give you the biggest bang for your buck — but only if you put a lot of your money toward travel purchases, including Delta flights. If you spend less money on travel and more money on everyday purchases like groceries, the two cards offer similar rewards-earning opportunities.

Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum spending example

Let’s say you spent $1,000 on groceries and $500 on restaurants last month. Both the Delta SkyMiles Gold and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card offer 2X SkyMiles on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases, netting you 3,000 SkyMiles for the $1,500 you spent on restaurants and groceries.

But what if you also bought a $500 Delta flight and a $500 hotel stay? The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card offers 3X miles on Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings, earning 3,000 SkyMiles for the $1,000 spent.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and only 1X mile per dollar on hotels, which means the $1,000 you put toward travel expenses would only net 1,500 SkyMiles. Based on Bankrate’s latest miles valuations, Delta SkyMiles are worth about 1.2 cents apiece, making the rewards difference between the two cards — 1,500 SkyMiles, in this instance — worth about $18 in value.

Why should you get the Delta SkyMiles Gold?

If you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases and redeem them for an occasional Delta flight, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card is probably the right choice for you. Here are some additional benefits to consider:

Why should you get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card?

If you fly Delta regularly, want to maximize your SkyMiles and want to take advantage of perks like various statement credits and travel protections, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card is a good option. And if you’re interested in earning Medallion Status, the boosted rate on Delta purchases will help you get there faster.

The bottom line

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card are two excellent airline credit cards that allow cardholders to earn SkyMiles, take advantage of travel perks and save money on Delta flights.

However, the two cards are not designed for the same traveler. If you are a frequent Delta flyer who takes many trips every year, you might be ready for the platinum-level benefits offered by the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card — as long as you’re ready to pay a platinum-level annual fee. If you’re just getting started with SkyMiles and want a high-earning rewards card that only charges a modest annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card is the better option.

Still not sure which card to choose? Compare more of the best travel rewards cards before you decide.

Read the full article here

Share.

Didebta

© 2025 Didebta. All Rights Reserved.